Guardian Teacher Network

On a recent trip to Alaska, while gazing out across the playground to see mountain views and students skiing to school, London free school headteacher Zoe Dunn could tell she was about to experience a very different approach to schooling.

As impressive as the scenery sounds, Dunn was even more taken with Alaskan schools' approach to social and emotional learning – where student happiness and wellbeing are promoted alongside – and above – academic achievement. Here was a school where students resolved their own conflicts, mapped their feelings on wall charts and aspired to college from an early age.

This was just one school visit during a six-week sabbatical across America and Sweden to learn more about their pioneering approaches to social and emotional learning. She shares her observations and recommendations for the UK this week on the GTN.

Also on the site this week:

After looking at the latest figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, David Weston, chief executive of the Teacher Development Trust, discusses why older teachers are leaving the profession in the UK.

We launch a new series called My working day. First up is English teacher Simon Smith, whose diary includes a student debating competition, poetry with year 8 and the school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Plus, in the era of pupil premium and impending performance-related pay, Secret Teacher has something to say on cost and worth in education and what schools really should be spending their money on.

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Guardian Higher Education Network

They are the education leaders whose students barely know their names, let alone their faces. They are the sector figureheads who have remained remarkably quiet in a time of policy upheaval and funding reform. And from this week, they will be centre stage on the Higher Education Network, as we launch our new monthly interview with a university vice-chancellor.

Guardian writer John Crace – familiar to fans of G2's Digested Read column – will be visiting campuses across the country to find out what makes their VCs (or chief executives, in some cases) tick. First to face his questions is Sir Steve Smith, of the University of Exeter, who admits that "as long as I'm being shouted at by both sides, I've probably got it just about right."

We'll also be streaming a video interview with Huddersfield's vice-chancellor, Sir Bob Cryan, who was named Inspiring Leader at the Guardian University Awards 2013. And join our live chat on Friday 3 August from 12-2pm to discuss what you need and expect from your vice-chancellor in the year ahead. "I'd say the job is actually harder now than it was when I started," says Smith. See www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/leadership

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Guardian Students

University graduation is one of the proudest days of your life. Having survived three or four years' worth of Pot Noodles and deadlines, you're free to step out into the world of work and adulthood.

But while flouncing around in a Harry Potter gown is lots of fun, ceremonies don't come cheap. This month, we're asking readers to help us work out the true cost of graduating. To get involved, submit a picture of your graduation day along with an estimate of its cost to witness.guardian.co.uk. You can find more information on taking part by visiting guardian.co.uk/students.